Our Mission:
“To know Christ and to make Him known”
Christ’s Messenger
From the Pastor’s Pen
By Pastor Myke Main
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Luke 2:14
In a culture that seeks to be ‘politically correct’
and ‘religiously tolerant’, the message of the
angels on the night of the Savior’s birth stands in
stark contrast.
Certainly, the message is GOOD NEWS for a
world which needs a Savior to deliver it from sin
and its destructive consequences.
For sin
[rebellion against God and His sovereign rule
over His creation, reflected in unbelief and
disobedience] is the reason why we experience a
broken relationship with God, broken relationships with those around us, hostility and
injustice, illness and suffering and death. We
need a Savior who will rule in truth and in righteousness. That Savior has come, and His name is
Jesus.
The Scriptures testify that Jesus is “the Savior of
the world” (John 4:42) and that as the Savior of
the world, He freely gave Himself as “a ransom
for all” (I Timothy 2:6). However, we ought
not to think that though the LORD our God has
mercifully provided a Savior for all people that
all will be saved. For there are many who want
nothing to do with God and His gracious offer of
a new start: a restored relationship with Him
through a life of divinely inspired repentance and
divinely inspired faith in the Savior of the world,
Jesus.
When we meditate upon the words which were
spoken by the angels and heard by the shepherds
that night of Christ’s birth over the fields outside
of Bethlehem, this is exactly what they were
proclaiming. God will not force anyone into His
kingdom; nor does a sinful soul enter into it
automatically. The kingdom of truth and righteousness, eternal and yet existing even now, will
be experienced by those “with whom He is
pleased.” It is those souls who recognize their sin
and their need for a Savior to deliver them from
their ‘self-destructive’ ways. It is those souls
who, in surrendering their lives to the lordship of
Jesus begin to experience peace with God in
hearing the GOOD NEWS that the Savior is here
“for them.”
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
January 2017
Inside this issue
God’s Word is very clear in telling us that
Pastor’s Mail Pouch
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“without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Serving Schedules
2
Prayer Requests
3
Daycare News
4
Church Happenings
5
Mission of the Month
6
Such a divinely inspired faith is not merely intellectual agreement about certain ‘facts’ concerning
God. Nor is it reflected merely in acts of service
in the local church. Christ Jesus came to save us
from such superficial attempts to be religious and
pious before God.
God is pleased with us when we recognize the
basic truth about ourselves as fallen creatures:
that there is nothing in us that is pleasing to God,
nothing that we can offer Him to make Him love
us. Only then will we embrace the birth of Jesus
as GOOD NEWS, since He alone offers us
deliverance from our sin and our helpless sinful
condition.
True faith which pleases God is a work of God
that starts with a humble and repentant heart; it
declares, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Such a divinely inspired faith starts from nothing
and is built up by the Word of God alone. For
“faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of Christ.”
Through His Word, God the Holy Spirit teaches
us the truth about ourselves and about God and
His ways. He shows us the difference between
His ways and the ways of the world in which we
live. And, He inspires us day by day to commit
our ways to Him, even when the world around
us does not understand.
The life of faith in the Savior is not an easy one;
but it is the only one that brings true peace with
God and eternal life with Him.
May the new year be an opportunity for all of us
to draw near to God in a new way; and may we
all experience the life with God which the Savior
came to bring “to us” and “for us.”
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
among those with whom He is pleased!”
This Month:
Wed. Night Bible
Studies at 6:30 PM
Sat., Jan. 14 5-8 PM
Family Game & Potluck
Night
Sat., Jan. 21 from 9-3
Sew-a-Thon
Service Project
Sat., Jan. 28
Father/Daughter Ball at
the DECC
Christ Lutheran
Church, TAALC
2415 Ensign St.
Duluth, MN 55811
218-722-7537
website:
clcduluth.org
email:
[email protected]
January 2017 Serving Schedule
Pastor: Rev. Michael Main
[email protected]
218-390-9987
Church Office: Juliana Morgan
[email protected]
218-722-7537
Council President: Jim Carlson
Vice-President: Mike Pickar
Treasurer: Laurie Wiita
[email protected]
Youth coordinator: Chris Stumpf
[email protected]
Church Website: www.clcduluth.org
Sunday Worship
Praise Time—9:15am
Worship—9:30am
Sunday School –11:00 am
Adult Bible Study—11:15 am
We are in need of additional Sunday Morning Greeters and Ushers.
If you would like to be part of this ministry please contact Kim Matuseski at 727-2097.
January 1
Ushers: Jim & Gayle Maruska; Mike & Wendy Pickar
Greeter: Grace Wells
January 8
Ushers: Mike & Pam Wendling; Keith & Trudy Youngren
Greeter: Jan Main
January 15
Ushers: Bob & Pam Halvorson; John Holt; Paul Holt
Greeter: Norma Johnson
January 22
Ushers: Gary & Carolyn Lofald; Jim & Gayle Maruska
Greeters: John & Bonnie Kubiak
January 29
Ushers: Les Johnson & Kim Matuseski; Spring Billiar; David Wood
Greeter: Norma Johnson
February 5
Ushers: Mike & Wendy Pickar; Mike & Pam Wendling
Greeters: Grace Wells
MONTHLY HAPPENINGS:
Mary Circle 1st Thur. 9:30 AM
Esther Circle 1st Thur. 6:30 PM
Hannah Circle 2nd Sat. 1:00 PM
Dorcas Circle 2nd Mon. 1:30 PM
Quilters 3rd Mon. 9:00 AM
Women’s Bible Study 3rd Thursday 10 AM
Lutherans for Life 2nd Sunday 6:30PM
Council Meeting2nd Thursday of the month
Trustees:
Jan. 1: Sandy Carlson & Sue Boder
Jan. 8: Ouitdee Carson & Wendy Pickar
Jan. 15: Stacy Homstad & Bill Arrezo
Jan. 22: Grace Wells & Kim Mitchell
Jan. 29: Sandy Carlson & Sue Boder
Feb. 5: Ouitdee Carson & Wendy Pickar
Coffee Servers:
Jan. 1: Hannah Circle
Deadline for submitting news for Jan. 8: ROC
the February Messenger is Thur., Jan. 15: Dorcas Circle
Jan. 26
Jan. 22: Council Group 1
Jan. 29: Library
Feb. 5: Hannah Circle
Change of Address
Reminder
If you have moved, are
planning on moving, or are
switching addresses for the
season, please call the
church office to notify us of
the change. It takes only a
minute and saves us both
time and money.
Thank you!
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
Acolytes:
Jan. 1: Jacqueline Stumpf & Callie Showalter
Jan. 8: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
Jan. 15: Jacqueline Stumpf & Callie Showalter
Jan. 22: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
Jan. 29: Jacqueline Stumpf & Callie Showalter
Feb. 5: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
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Please Pray for…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
The Leadership of the Church:
Pastor Main
President—Jim Carlson
Vice President—Mike Pickar
Treasurer-Laurie Wiita
Deacons
Trustees
Rev. Curtis Leins,
presiding pastor, AALC
Rev. Richard Shields,
ALTS President
Youth Group Kids & Leaders
Open Arms Day Care
Our Mission of the Month:
AALC
Pray for Our Church Outreaches
Father/ Daughter Ball
Husband & Wife Valentine Ball
Pray for Each Other
Pray for our Country
Pray for our Troops—remember
those from our church:
Derek Miletich
Persecuted Christians
Throughout the World
Those with Health needs:
Edna Corser*
Olivia Schadel* (Benedictine)
Bryan Goeppinger*
Vicki Johnson**
Jane McLean**
David MacDonald**
Jim Maruska**(surgery 12-15)
Elna Linder**
Wayne Sundstrom**
Chelsea Holt**(infusions 12-30)
Larry Kubiak**
Jean Sundstrom**
Katie Lund**
Karl Randa**
Dorothy Jean Vigliaturo***
Shirley Randa
Vi Boder
Mark Malander
Russ Schramm
Carl Swanson
Ruth Dahl
Carol Schramm
Aletha Bartels
Florence Kubiak
Brian MacDonald
Bruce Wells
Lil Fontaine
Julie Guddeck (Surgery 12-22)
Darlyn Sundstrom
Marge Novack
Jean Clark
January 4
Barb Johnson
January 7
Mike Pickar
January 15
Wendy Pickar
January 17
Courtney Carson
January 19
Gabe Wiita
January 22
Shirley Kern
January 29
*in the hospital or recently released or anticipating surgery
**receiving therapy or ongoing medical care
***in hospice care
If there are any people who have been accidently overlooked, please contact the
church office or Pastor Main. We apologize for any oversights.
Don’t Forget!
The first Sunday of each month is FOOD SHELF SUNDAY!
Please bring an item or two to help those in need.
Cash donations are also appreciated.
We are alternating donations between Genesis House and
Union Gospel Mission.
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your
thoughts, O God! How vast is
the sum of them!
Psalm 139:16,17
3
THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOU IN THE NEW YEAR AHEAD!
Both in this joyous Christmas season and always, we are grateful for our friendship and fellowship
with you, the loving members of Christ Lutheran Church. Jan and I would like to thank you for your
outpouring of generosity and love in the Christmas greetings and gifts we have received in this season. May we all continue to rejoice in the gift of God’s Son “to us” as our Savior, Lord and King.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Myke and & Jan
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11
It has been a fun December at Open Arms. One of our favorite things this month has been
learning about Christmas.
Some of the children's favorite songs are...
Feliz Nobby Bop; Silent Night, Glory Night; We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy Shoe
Years; and Away in a Manger No Crib for a Bed the Little Lord Jesus Sat Down on His Bed.
Their lunch time prayers have continued to be so very precious!
We are excited this month to share our fun days with school age children who are on their winter break. We had
a pajama day this month and we built things with giant boxes. A new little boy named Joshua will be joining us in
January. we are so happy to have another new friend.
Fun things coming up in January are...
Grocery store fun, Pet Shop, Beach Day, and Noah's Ark.
Special thanks to Peggy Wiita and the Esther Circle for the wonderful gifts!
The children were so joyful when they opened their presents. They danced around and played the prayer bears
over and over. We also read the books right away and they just loved the cute bags.
Thank you for being so thoughtful by thinking of us.
The parents were also very impressed with the thoughtful gifts.
Thank you Judi for the beautiful pillowcases the kids loved them! It was so nice of you!
Thank you Gwen for the special treats! We are so happy to have you as our reading buddy.
Thank you Grace , Carolyn, Laurie and Jim for all you do for us.
Blessings to everyone for a wonderful New Year!
The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,
the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
- Mary Jo
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
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Sew-A-Thon Service Project
What: An all day sewing activity to make little
gowns for the neonatal intensive care units and
nurseries in the area hospitals.
When: Saturday, January 21st 9:00-3:00
Come for an hour or come for the day or whatever
works for you. Everything will be set up and ready
to go during that time.
Who: If you can use a scissors OR iron OR sew,
you are wanted! No sewing skills are needed!
Provided: Lunch, snacks, 4 sewing machines, all
fabric, thread, pattern, and some scissors.
Bring: You may want to bring your own scissors
(please put your name of them) and your own
machine, if you prefer.
Bonus: Free T-shirt if you help.
Can't come but want to help? Ziploc bags will be
provided which will contain the fabric, pattern and
simple, clear directions. You can take them home
and work on them at your leisure. These will be
available beginning January 22 in the narthex of the
church. A container for returning them will be set
out.
Join us for the 7th annual
Husband & Wife Valentine Ball
Friday, February 10, 2017 from 6:30-11:00 PM
At Backwoods Event Center in Proctor
The cost is $65.00 per couple
Dinner choices are: salmon, roast sirloin,
pork tenderloin, or baked manicotti.
Dessert will also be provided & wine will be
available for purchase.
Your evening together will be blessed with an
uplifting Christian message, a wonderful dinner,
and a romantic time of dancing.
To make the evening more special, reserve a room
right next door at the AmericInn Hotel & Suites
by calling: 218-624-1026
Tickets may be purchased online, but we would
request that church members purchase them from
an Evangelism Committee member.
Contact Carolyn Lofald with any questions.
Checks can be made out to
“Evangelism Committee”
We have a limited number of tickets available, so
please plan early.
Family Potluck & Game Night
Sat., Jan.10 from 5-8 PM
Any questions: Contact Jan Main at 218-213-8627.
Funds provided by Thrivent
The dates for the 21st annual Father/Daughter Ball
are Sat., Jan. 28 & Sat., Feb. 4
Tickets are sold online only at
fatherdaughterballduluth.org.
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
The next
Hannah Circle
Food Share will
be on January 15
Food
Share
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January Mission of the Month:
American Lutheran
Theological Seminary
The American Association of Lutheran Churches has a
great need. Within the next few years many, if not
most of our current pastors will retire. Many congregations will be in need of pastors. The American Lutheran
Theological Seminary exists to meet this need by training pastors to serve in our congregations.
The American Lutheran Theological Seminary is committed to the inerrancy, relevance, and intensive study
of God’s Word. Study of the scriptures dominates the
curriculum. Students at ALTS study and apply the content of a Biblical and confessional Lutheran curriculum
to the contemporary American and global context.
The ALTS curriculum and program is designed for a two
-fold purpose:
1.To train men for the office of Holy ministry by teaching them to be:
a. Preacher-teacher-evangelists
b. Prayer and worship leaders
c. Public apologists
d. Pastoral caregivers and counselors
e. Practical equippers of the Saints
Many thanks to the outgoing members of the
Christ Lutheran Church Council who have
served so faithfully over the last few years.
We truly appreciate the time and effort
everyone has put into their area of serving.
We would also like to welcome those new
members who will be joining us.
We look forward to serving the Lord together
as we “know Christ and make Him known.”
Assuming that you have heard about Him and were
taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus,
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former
manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of
God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:21-24
2.To train lay people for leadership roles in Christ’s
church.
The ALTS relies on the generous financial gifts of others to continue to serve the church by training pastors
for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. They welcome all who would join them in supporting and sustaining the structures and programs through which
their students are prepared to serve His church
through the ministry of the gospel.
You may make checks payable to Christ Lutheran
Church. Thank you for your continued support in our
mission “To know Christ and to make Him known.
To the Christ Lutheran Church family,
Thank you for the gift card I received for
Christmas! It was very nice of you and I
appreciated it so much! It is a joy to work
with all of you to further the work of Christ
and share His love!
Your secretary,
Juliana
FINANCIAL UPDATE: 2016 Annual Budget: $245,733; Weekly $4,726
12/24/2016
Year to Date
Offering
$ 2,872
$142,217
_______ _
___
Other
$0
$ 12,825
___________
Daycare ______________
Total
$ 2,851
$ 5,723
$58,449
$213,619
Full Financial reports are posted in the narthex after each council meeting.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Christ’s Messenger - January 2017
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